[Zmagnette] Timing

[Steven Trovato]

You can argue the merits of points vs electronic ignition all you 
want.  Fact is, what Wombat said is correct.  The way most of us use 
our cars, it is not normal to require timing adjustment every 4 
months.  The rule I remember from when all cars had points and 
carburetors, was to do a full tune up every 10K miles, and a "minor" 
tune up every 5K miles.  The full tune up was plugs, points, 
condenser, adjust timing, dwell and carb mixture.  Maybe replace the 
rotor and cap.  The minor tune up was to basically do the same stuff, 
but without replacing any parts.  You would just clean and readjust 
what was there, unless something looked really terrible.  This was 
not an MG thing, these were just the rules I learned for typical 
American cars of the day.  In my experience, timing did not change a 
lot. As Wombat said, wear at the points may require adjustment over 
time.  Timing on my Magnette stays pretty stable.  This is with 1500 
engine and original points setup.  If the distributor is tightened so 
that you can't turn the body with your hand, then that's not the 
problem.  Overtightening just causes more problems.  I would take a 
look at the points.  If they are secure, I would look at their 
condition.  Poor quality parts might wear faster.  Also, a bad 
condenser can cause the points to wear faster.

-Steve T.


At 08:52 AM 2/6/2014, charles durning wrote:
>X2 on getting rid of the points.
>
>I know, I know the purists will poo poo the change to electronic 
>ignition.  I say let them keep their points.
>
>
>Charlie Durning
>
>If you are using Google or Gmail, Big Brother is watching.
>
>
>
>On Thu, Feb 6, 2014 at 5:01 AM, Wayne & Isabel Hardy 
><<mailto:gwhardy at suddenlink.net>gwhardy at suddenlink.net> wrote:
>No t normal!! Should stay as set for years literally, if tightened 
>up properly at the pinch neck bolt.
>Slight wear at the points may require a very small adjustment over 
>time, but only if driven enough to cause the points to erode... A 
>lot of driving usually.
>Wombat
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